Services - Sick Leave, Long Term Disability
Please click here for Frequently Asked Questions regarding Sick Leave and Long Term Disability
Sick Leave
Upon completion of the probationary period, staff appointed employees are eligible for sick leave with pay for periods of up to fifteen (15) weeks during unavoidable absence due to illness or injury.
When an employee is unable to report to work due to sickness or injury, the employee should notify her/his supervisor as early as possible that s/he is unable to attend work and provide a probable date when s/he is able to return to work.
An employee may, with prior warning, be required by the University to provide a doctor’s certificate documenting that the employee is unable to carry our her/his normal duties due to illness.
The Health and Well-being office routinely sends a medical report to employees who have been absent from work for more than 7 to 10 working days (2 weeks). Confidential medical information (e.g. nature of illness) may be sent to the Health and Well-being office where it will be kept in confidence. Information about the likely duration of the absence, likely return to work dates, and accommodation needs, if any, are forwarded to the employee’s department.
Unionized employees are encouraged to review the appropriate sections in their collective agreements.
Long Term Disability
If you remain off work due to illness or injury beyond the 15 week sick leave, you may qualify for Long Term Disability benefits. The University’s Long Term Disability (LTD) Plan is designed to provide income protection should you become seriously ill or suffer an injury or accident that prevents you from working. It is not automatic however, so you are encouraged to contact our office and apply early to ensure continuity of income support.
The qualifying period for LTD benefits is 15 weeks during which you must be continuously unable to work. During this 15 week period, you may be eligible for sick leave, depending on the policy or collective agreement that governs your employment at the University. Should you remain unable to perform the essential duties of your own position/occupation beyond the 15 week qualifying period, then LTD benefits may be available for up to 24 months. LTD benefits provide up to 70% of your regular salary, less deductions. You may qualify for LTD benefits beyond the initial 24 months if you remain totally disabled from performing the essential duties of any job for which you might be qualified to perform.
In order to receive LTD benefits,
you must complete an application form and arrange for your medical provider
to complete a medical report in the LTD kit provided by the Health and
Well-being Programs and Services. This kit is usually forwarded to all
employees off work longer than 5 weeks.
A completed LTD application is reviewed by independent adjudicators at Sunlife Insurance. Sunlife Insurance is the University’s LTD provider. Staff at Health and Well-being Programs and Services are available to assist you in completing your application and answering any questions you may have about the details of the LTD plan, the decision process or other resources available.